You can all wave “goodbye” to your Post GT Depression Syndrome, because the Men’s Olympic Road Race is only three days yonder. I don’t typically give two shits about this particular event; while contested by national teams, unlike the Worlds it appears as just another one-day race on a calendar filled with events that carry much more historical and nostalgic significance. What’s worse, it seems the brilliance has faded from the flame of Olympic Spirit – after all, what is an international sports rivalry without the associated political Boggie Dance of Political Superiority? Merckx, I miss the Cold War.
But this time is different. Contested in London over a route that may or may not favor the squat little speed demon Mark Cavendish, the Cycling world has been abuzz about whether his presence on Team Sky alongside Pippi Longstockings implies his impending doom or his certain success – because everyone knows those are the only two possibilities. Be that as it may, the route boasts to be lumpy enough for breakaways or small field sprints, which makes this particular Velominatus, for once, really excited to see what happens. Oh, and as a special request to the riders, if we could keep everyone off the juice this time round, that would be peaches and creame.
With that, check the start list and pretend like that is going to help you make your predictions. Then look at the route and do the same before making a wild guess and hoping you come up good. One-Day VSP rules apply; get your picks in by the time the countdown timer goes to zero and pray for daylight.
Good luck.
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Very interesting article at Cyclingtips on Australia's only (male) Olympic medalist on the road. Worth reading - even if you arent biased!
Boonen to smash it, Cav to be the first in the line for sloppy seconds.
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Calves
3. Goss
4. Griepel
5. Saggy
has anyone found a course profile? Im shooting from the hip since I have nothing to lose.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Faboo
3. LL Cool Sanchez
4. Boonen
5. Boss Hog
Sagan is the only rider from Slovakia, but he'll probably manage, however, Cav is one of the only sprinters that made it through the mountains...who knows? What a mess.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Sagan
3. Boonen
4. Greipel
5. Goss
@Harminator
Meh. Britain's not that great.
VSP PICKS:
1. Manx Mouth
2. Andre the Giant
3. Gossy
4. Boom Boom
5. Fabbo
ten B's picks: now with 20% less spelling errors!
VSP PICKS:
1. Boonen
2. Calves
3. Goss
4. Greipel
5. Saggy
Just picked the 5 fastest guys I reckon could do it. Too much at stake and too many strong teams to let a break stay away. Gossy gets the jump but fades.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Goss
3. Griepel
4. Sagan
5. Boonen
@RedRanger
http://app.strava.com/runs/olympic-road-race-course-467101
Now we get to find out if Cav's lost kgs and reduced speed (didn't seem to make any difference on Sunday) can be slotted together with a strong team (80% tour stage winners) to bring home the first Gold. After his performance over the last 3 weeks, I hope he can!
VSP PICKS:
1. Cav
2. Greipel
3. Goss
4. Boonen
5. Faboo